Many experienced Registered nurses are becoming certified in many areas; one of these is Emergency Care. Emergency nurses provide wide ranging care to patients ranging from common colds to heart attacks. These nurses must be prepared to deal with all types of injuries and trauma situations. The certification for Emergency Care is CEN - Certified Emergency Nurse administrated by the BCEN association. This certification denotes that the nurse has completed many additional hours of training and passed a difficult assessment test.
Emergency Nurses have to maintain a vast knowledge of many areas of patient care including obstetrics, geriatrics, gynecology, cardiology, oncology, pediatrics, and general medicine. They encounter many different types of injuries and illnesses every day, handling critical and non emergency issues. Acquiring a CEN certification is not a requirement for employment at a majority of hospitals, so nurses that pursue and obtain this certification are showing their employers or perspective employers that they are overachievers.
Qualifying for the exam only requires you to be a RN with a current unrestricted license while it is recommended to have at least 2 years of emergency room experience, it's not required. The exam fee is for the initial first test is $360 with a discount for ENA members for only $220. Renewal tests are considerably less at $190 and 320. The exams are offered at special testing centers, you must sign up for your exam by phone or internet, a 3 hour period is provided for completing the exam.
CEN classes are available from the internet, local colleges, local hospitals and business schools. You may study alone with the help of study guides, practice tests, and review courses. The exam is difficult because it encompasses so many different areas of nursing requiring a %73 score to pass. Tested areas include Cardiovascular emergencies, respiratory emergencies, general medical emergencies, neurological emergencies, orthopedic and wound emergencies, shock and multisystem emergencies, genito-urinary emergencies, gynecological and obstetrical emergencies, substance abuse, toxicological and environmental emergencies, gastro-intestinal emergencies, patient management, professional issues, facial ocular emergencies, and psychological-sociological issues. A sample online CEN review course offers in-depth review of patient care, 18 lessons with tests, study sheets with facts and tips, and complete 175 question practice tests to assess your knowledge and test readiness. Most online courses average around $300 each. The CEN certification exam maybe be taken every 4 years to renew the certification; this exam consists of 175 questions. Alternately the certification can be renewed by completing continuing education courses in the appropriate areas, or internet testing.
The present employment opportunities for emergency nurses are promising with the Dept of Labor reporting that hospitals currently are experiencing an 8.5% staffing shortage with a projected growth of jobs for emergency nurses of 27% over the next decade. The added fact that you possess your CEN will only make you more marketable to future employers. Obtaining your CEN will give you more confidence in your nursing skills and abilities. Also you may obtain a raise in your hourly rate or receive a yearly bonus for this added certification. This certification increases the recognition of quality nursing care for you and your hospital.